Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 6

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

163 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to introduce a definite date for the payment of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance, preferably in mid-August, to avoid the confusion caused by late or early payments as has happened in recent years. [201/94]

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The back to school clothing and footwear scheme has been administered by the health boards on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare since I introduced it in 1990. In 1993 over 255,000 children benefited under the scheme at a cost of £10.7 million. The 1994 figures are being compiled at present.

In 1993 serious delays were experienced by clients of the Eastern Health Board in receiving allowances under this scheme. Because of these difficulties the Department asked the health board to examine the operation of the scheme in its area. Following the review measures were put in place by the board to ensure that there would be no delay in the issue of payments to clients for the 1994 scheme.

The scheme runs from the beginning of June to the end of September every year and this suits the families concerned. In practice the majority of payments are made in mid-August. However, applications will be accepted by health boards until the close of the scheme in September.

My Department, in its circular to health boards on the operation of the scheme, requested all boards to ensure that the majority of payments are made by 31 July 1994. The scheme has operated satisfactorily in all health boards this year with families throughout the country receiving their payments in good time to make provision for their children's needs.

Enda Kenny

Question:

164 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Social Welfare the nature and extent of expense claims allowed under social welfare regulations in respect of claims made by applicants for smallholders assistance; the relevance of such criteria in respect of an average 40 acre farm where the applicant receives normal agricultural subsidy payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [203/94]

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The legislation provides for the assessment of smallholders means as the yearly value accruing from the use of property. Statutory regulations specify that the yearly value is to be ascertained by deducting expenses necessarily incurred from gross income.

Over the years deciding and appeals officers have, in applying the legislation, made allowances for such expenses as the cost of fertilisers, repairs to farm building and fences, cost of replacing farm machinery, use of hired labour other than family members, cost of electricity and transport used for farming purposes, veterinary expenses, purchases of fodder and animal feed, rent of land, crop sprays etc. Agricultural subsidy payments are taken into account as farm income along with other income such as that arising from the sale of livestock and crops.

The compilation of the assessment is greatly facilitated if the smallholder has retained invoices for the various expenditure items as well as receipts for the sale of livestock etc.

Details of all sources of income and expenses are recorded on a special form — IN93, a copy of which is given to the smallholder. This form was agreed with the farming organisations on the introduction of factual assessment in the mid 1980s and has recently been revised to take account of changes in farming since then.